The role of Lee Kuan Yew and the development of Singapore (1959-1990)

Abstract

Singapore is regarded internationally as a developed country with good economic and financial conditions. Majority of Singaporean are well-educated (in 2012, the literacy rate of people in Singapore is 96.4 percent) and the country also comprise top-class infrastructures, attracting foreign investors to allocate businesses to Singapore. A successful development of Singapore occurred a few years after the independence in 1965. In the 1960s, the newly-born nation was under political and economic instability. Unavoidably, for surviving and the future of Singapore, the government was forced to improve every aspects of the country, including its society and economy. A person who was praised for the success of Singapore is Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister. During his 31 years in the office, from 1959 to 1990, Singapore not only achieved economic miracle but also had been recognized globally for a robust and proficient government administration. This thesis is meant to explore the development of Singapore, and the role of Lee Kuan Yew towards this development. In addition, other factors that might be relevant to the positive development are also investigated.